Field Reports
Click the images below to access full field reports
Marine Resources Survey
Final Field Report for Baseline Marine Resources Surveys for the Sea Port in Yap, FSM, prepared by the Cardno GS – AECOM Pacific Joint Venture and submitted in October 2023:
Purpose
The marine surveys aimed to provide baseline environmental data for planned development at Yap Port, supporting compliance with U.S., Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), and Yap State environmental regulations.
Survey Overview
Dates: April 28 – May 7, 2023
Survey Areas: 7 zones, including Tamil Channel, Yap Port, and offshore mooring areas.
Methods Used:
○ Marine habitat mapping (via manta tow)
○ Benthic/biotic surveys (corals, fish, algae)
○ Ecotourism assessment
○ Remote sensing (multibeam sonar and drop camera)
Key Findings
Marine Habitat
High coral cover was observed in Tamil Channel and its entrance (Survey Areas 2 & 3).
Low coral cover and high sand/rubble were found in Yap Port and adjacent areas (Survey Areas 4–7).
Seagrass beds were most prominent in Yap Port–Southeast and Yap Port–North, found in calm, shallow, sandy areas.
Benthic/Biotic Conditions
121 reef fish species recorded across 28 families.
Tamil Channel Entrance had the highest fish species richness and coral cover.
Yap Port areas had lower diversity, but certain locations still supported branching corals (Acropora, Porites cylindrica), even near seagrass beds.
Species of concern, including manta rays, sharks, turtles, and rare fish, were observed throughout the survey zones.
Ecotourism
Scuba diving and snorkeling are year-round attractions, especially due to Yap’s manta ray population.
Other activities include kayaking, canoeing, traditional sailing, and deep-sea fishing. ● Several dive sites fall within or near survey areas, some hosting WW2 wrecks. 4. Remote Sensing (Offshore Mooring Area)
Bathymetric data showed depths from 0 to 984 feet (300 m).
Coral was observed at mid-depths, but decreased with increasing depth.
Drop camera footage identified three bottom types: coral-dominated, sand, and mixed bottom.
Environmental Observations
Coral reefs in Tamil Channel appeared relatively healthy, with low algal cover and high fish herbivory, indicating ecosystem resilience.
Inner reefs near the port exhibited some fragile coral species, suggesting areas of ecological importance despite being adjacent to developed zones.
Minimal evidence of eutrophication; no excessive algal growth was noted, despite proximity to human activity.
Challenges
Minor weather and mechanical delays were encountered.
Dive compressor certification issues due to COVID-related service gaps were resolved with contingency equipment.
Recommendations
Use of lead-core rope for benthic transects was suggested to improve survey accuracy and minimize ecological disturbance.
Cultural Resources Survey
Final Field Report for Baseline Cultural Resources Surveys for the Sea Port in Yap, FSM, prepared by the Cardno GS – AECOM Pacific Joint Venture (October 2023):
Purpose
The report documents terrestrial and marine cultural surveys conducted around Tamil Harbor, Yap, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), between April 28 and May 9, 2023. The goal was to identify, evaluate, and document cultural resources potentially affected by port development, with respect to eligibility for the U.S. National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), as part of Section 106 compliance under the National Historic Preservation Act.
Terrestrial Cultural Survey Highlights
Four cultural resources were documented:
Spanish colonial fortified structure (modified under Japanese rule) — already listed in the NRHP.
Two Yapese traditional stone retaining walls (Temporary Sites 01 and 02) — found potentially eligible under NRHP Criterion D for their information value about settlement patterns.
Mid-20th-century earthen mound (site of Yap State Legislature) — deemed not eligible due to lost integrity.
Marine Cultural Survey Highlights
30 underwater targets were investigated:
○ 19 were identified as shipwrecks.
○ 5 were other submerged cultural features (e.g., pier remains, crane).
○ 4 were natural, non-cultural features.
○ 2 were previously documented fish weirs (aech/atch), which could not be relocated and were confirmed removed.
Methodology
Surveys followed U.S. federal and FSM guidelines, using pedestrian transects, GPS mapping, side-scan sonar, magnetometer, multibeam sonar, and diver verification.
Remote sensing yielded raw datasets that were analyzed using established archaeological methods to determine historic potential.
Challenges and Limitations
Visibility in water varied greatly (from 80 ft to 3 ft).
Some features could not be accessed or verified due to environmental or logistical factors. ● Some known or reported sites lacked sufficient data to make eligibility determinations.
Terrestrial Resources Survey
The Final Field Report for Baseline Terrestrial Resources Surveys for the Sea Port in Yap, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) (November 2023) presents a factual summary of biological fieldwork conducted between April 26 and May 1, 2023. The report, prepared by the Cardno GS – AECOM Pacific Joint Venture for the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, aims to inform potential environmental considerations for future development of Yap Port.
Objective and Scope
The purpose of the survey was to:
Document existing terrestrial flora and fauna.
Identify “special status species” (IUCN Red List species and birds protected under the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act).
Map vegetation and land cover types.
Provide baseline data to inform compliance with environmental laws and planning processes for the proposed harbor development.
Two areas were surveyed:
Yap Port Survey Area (22.9 acres) – largely developed land.
Chamorro Bay Linear Survey Area (1.3-mile loop) – mix of developed and vegetated areas.
Key Findings
Special Status Wildlife
Yap Flying Fox (Pteropus pelewensis yapensis) – Vulnerable (IUCN): 2 healthy adults observed flying over Chamorro Bay at dusk.
Seven MBTA-Protected Bird Species observed included:
○ Intermediate egret
○ Ruddy turnstone
○ Cattle egret
○ Greater sand plover
○ White tern
○ Yellow bittern
○ Pacific golden plover
Special Status Plant
Burmese Rosewood (Pterocarpus indicus) – Endangered (IUCN): 3 mature, fruiting individuals located near the Yap Government building; likely planted as ornamentals.
Other Wildlife
Common native and introduced species were observed (e.g., Micronesian starling, emerald tree skink, Eurasian tree sparrow).
Vegetation and Habitat Types
Eight vegetation/land cover types were mapped:
Urban built-up (dominant)
Coastal mixed
Urban cultivated (food and ornamental)
Mangrove forest
Secondary vegetation
Agroforest
Potential coastal wetland (not formally delineated)
Photos and maps show typical vegetation conditions and species habitats across both areas (e.g., Photos 1–26, Appendix A).
Methodology
Visual pedestrian surveys using sub-meter GPS mapping.
Species and habitat data recorded based on IUCN and MBTA criteria.
Surveys scheduled during times likely to optimize wildlife activity (especially dawn and dusk).
Surveyors avoided hazardous debris areas but achieved full visual coverage of the study area.
Recommendations
Preserve and protect Burmese rosewood trees due to their rarity and ecological value. ● Conduct future surveys during dawn/dusk to maximize detection of wildlife.
Develop mitigation plans once detailed development proposals are finalized, to minimize impacts on identified sensitive species and habitats.
Conclusion
The report presents neutral, data-driven insights about the biological resources present in and around Yap Port. While the area is largely developed, it still supports special status species and diverse vegetation types. These findings provide necessary groundwork for regulatory compliance and environmentally responsible planning.